Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum)

Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum), is a shrub native to South Africa, where it is commonly called the Large Num-Num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called amatungulu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called Noem-Noem. The fruit can be eaten out of hand or made into pies, jams, jellies, and sauces. A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.

Health Benefits of Carissa carandas or Karonda (Indian Counterpart) or Carissa congesta:

1.     --As a blood sugar stabilizer

2.     --as a guard against liver damage.

3.     --Biliousness

4.     --Anemia

5.     --Antiparasitic

6.     --Antifungal

7.     --Antimicrobial

8.     --Topical wound treatment (juice)

9.     --Skin remedy

Karonda has a lengthy history in Indian folk medicine. Tribes in the Western Ghats use the fruit as a blood sugar stabilizer and as a guard against liver damage. The fruit is used as remedy of biliousness, anemia, parasites, worms, fungal infections, diarrhea, microbes, wounds, skin infections, fevers, and ear infections.

Scientific evidences have been found that:

1.     --The root bark has potent antihelmitic properties comparable to the drug, albendazole

2.     --The root bark’s hemaprotective properties. In fact, its efficacy is equivalent to the liver drug, silymarin.

3.     --Karonda’s extracts show potentantimicrobial activity.   

4.     --Karonda root extract has potent wound healing abilities.

5.     --Karonda stem has cytotoxic andpro-apoptotic activities when tested against human leukemia cell lines.

6.     --Using karonda as a treatment for diabetes - methanol extracts of the fruit showed antidiabetic potential.

Carissa, (natal-plum), raw
Carbohydrate Factor: 3.6 Fat Factor: 8.37 Protein Factor: 3.36 Nitrogen to Protein Conversion Factor: 6.25
Refuse: 14% Refuse Description: 7% seeds, 7% skin
Nutrient (Proximates)	Unit	1Value per100g
Water	g	84.17
Energy	kcal	62
Protein	g	0.5
Total lipid (fat)	g	1.3
Ash	g	0.4
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	13.63
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	11
Iron, Fe	mg	1.31
Magnesium, Mg	mg	16
Phosphorus, P	mg	7
Potassium, K	mg	260
Sodium, Na	mg	3
Copper, Cu	mg	0.21
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	38
Thiamin	mg	0.04
Riboflavin	mg	0.06
Niacin	mg	0.2
Vitamin B-12	µg	0
Vitamin A, RAE	µg	2
Retinol	µg	0
Vitamin A, IU	IU	40
Lipids		0
Cholesterol	mg	0